All Blacks beat brave Wales to complete grand slam

RICHARD KNOWLER AT MILLENNIUM STADIUM - Stuff
Last updated 08:21 28/11/2010


Action from the test at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
All Blacks v Wales
1 of 11 All Blacks v Wales


There were no fist-pumps, high fives or backslaps for Dan Carter as he marked his world record in a typically understated manner when the All Blacks beat Wales 37-25 to claim the grand slam in Cardiff this morning.

After kicking the ninth minute penalty that pushed past Jonny Wilkinson's mark of 1178, first five-eighth Carter simply turned his back and, in that inimitable gait of his, jogged back to prepare for the restart.

It was far from his most memorable match but when he looks back in retirement, Carter will fondly recall the day he entrenched himself into the annals of history in front of a 73,000-strong crowd that recognises a champion when they seen one.

While the player himself and his team-mates refused to display any emotion, the ground announcer paid tribute to the great No 10, the crowd broke into applause and then it was back to business.

Ironically, for a bloke who would usually blow over kicks blindfolded, Carter had a far from memorable night with the boot and missed four of his first five shots at goal before converting five from nine.

The match started on a sombre note as a minute's silence was observed in memory of the 29 miners who lost their lives in the Pike River tragedy on the West Coast and the All Blacks also wore white armbands to pay their respects.

Prior to kick-off they stated they wanted to provide their fellow New Zealanders with a glimmer of sunshine in what had been a gloomy week and raced in a try to left wing Hosea Gear in the fifth minute; it followed after right wing Isaia Toeava dashed from the other side of the park to wrap around Sonny Bill Williams and shred four weak tackles.

Hopes Carter would equal Wilkinson's record with the conversion did not eventuate but minutes later he brought up the magical milestone and on the 22nd minute mark, fullback Mils Muliaina ripped through several weak tackles to nudge his side ahead 13-3.

Predictions the All Blacks' attack would incinerate Wales' defence appeared set to come to fruition and coach Warren Gatland must have been shifting uncomfortably in his seat as he contemplated another difficult week following the previous weekend's 16-all draw against Fiji.

Instead Wales roared back with first-five Stephen Jones' boot keeping them in touch.

Jones nailed three penalties in the first half and added three more in the second as the penalty count piled-up against the All Blacks with referee Alan Lewis caning them in the breakdown and the scrums.

Bouyed by their parochial crowd in full voice, Wales trailed 23-18 with 12 minutes remaining but their hearts were broken by late tries to Toeava and replacement tighthead prop John Afoa.

Toeava's effort started from a dreadful error by Wales second-five James Hook who was ankle tapped by Mils Muliaina as he tried to clear for touch inside his 22m zone; from the resulting counter-attack the All Blacks rammed home the advantage and replacement lock Anthony Boric sailed through a gap before feeding Toeava.

There was to be more pain for the Welsh to endure when a long-range movement that involved a sweet back-pass by Jimmy Cowan to Muliaina resulted in Afoa galloping 25m to crash over between the sticks.
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While the two late tries swept the New Zealanders to victory, they also had to call on all of their defensive will to shut out their opponents when replacement flanker Daniel Braid, who replaced the injured No 8 Kieran Read, was yellow carded for not rolling away at a ruck mid-way through the second half.

Although Jones was in fine touch with the boot, Wales were only unable to add three points while the New Zealanders, down to 14 men, scored through Gear after Jones missed a kick for touch from a penalty.

For the New Zealanders it was difficult to overlook loose forward Jerome Kaino as the man of the match; he was immense, smashing bodies in defence and proving to be the Kiwis everywhere man.

Skipper Richie McCaw was his usual industrious self, while the scrum again was under immense pressure and endured a torrid time under Lewis.

Muliaina and Toeava were the pick of the New Zealand backs, while for the Welsh, once they sorted out their defensive frailties this was a brave effort.

Their pack was outstanding and for Gatland the wolves have stopped circling. For now.

All Blacks 37 (Hosea Gear 2, Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava, John Afoa tries; Dan Carter 3 conv, 2 pen)

Wales 25 (Lee Byrne try, Stephen Jones 6 pens, conv).

Halftime: 13-9

Defence and lightning attack key for All Blacks

TOBY ROBSON AT AVIVA STADIUM - Fairfax Media

Last updated 09:05 21/11/2010

Action from the match at Aviva Stadium.

All Blacks v Ireland

1 of 22

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media Zoom 

Richie McCaw, Hikawera Elliot and Liam Messam perform the haka against Ireland.
Ireland provided a reminder that even the mightiest of All Blacks sides must earn the right to spread the ball at Aviva Stadium in Dublin this morning, before eventually falling victim 38-18 to the tourists' two most impressive traits.For half an hour the All Blacks ran themselves as ragged as their opponents with a lateral attack that laid its hope in Ireland missing tackles.The haka had an extra bite perhaps the result of more pithy and ignorant criticism in the Irish press on the eve of the match, or maybe tinted by thoughts of the men trapped under a West Coast coal mine.But desperate to provide some cheer to a nation in the financial doldrums, the home team were in no mood to fall off tackles as Scotland had a week prior.The longer the scores stayed close the more the Irish belief grew.There was leg drive and technical know-how from Richie McCaw and Kieran Read and had lock Tom Donnelly not passed so early it would have been 5-0 in the first minute.But there was nothing direct enough to keep defenders at the ruck. Perhaps it was why Ma'a Nonu was unusually ineffectual in the midfield before being subbed after the break for Sonny Bill Williams.And after tackling for 32 minutes Ireland took their chance to score the first try with Jamie Heaslip popping Stephen Ferris through a hole with a forward pass for a 13-9 lead.Dan Carter's boot knocked over the fourth of his seven successes of eight kicks at goal and lock Anthony Boric scored just before the break for a 19-13 lead.And then Ireland discovered what is making this All Blacks side great, desperate defence and an ability to score in bunches.McCaw's side protect their line like a loyal dog does its owner and Jerome Kaino again showed his value to the line.Ireland didn't unravel so much as blink and the game was gone as Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read scored tries within two minutes.Ferris and wing Luke Fitzgerald collided as Kaino surged down the right hand side to put his No 8 over and two minutes later yet another piece of silky skill from wing Cory Jane under the high ball launched a counter that ended with Whitelock's third test try, all against Ireland.Suddenly it was 33-13.Brian O'Driscoll sent a message he is no spent force and was probably Ireland's best on show, his running scoop earning a try with 23 minutes to play and a shred of hope.Jane was all class on the wing after two tests on the sidelines, a danger every time he touched the ball whether in contact or running in the open field.The much talked about Nonu-Conrad Smith midfield combination never really got going and Williams again looked confident in his 22 minute cameo.Read was superb in the pack, mixing tight work with open field link play and deservedly scored on full time to stretch the winning margin.And Carter, his injured ankle no longer an issue to his kicking, gave a master class before missing his final conversion and a chance to equal England's Jonny Wilkinson as the leading test points scorer.There will be plenty for the All Blacks to review before playing Wales and first and foremost they may look at tightening up their first half efforts.  Because as they will know tries come easier if they are earned up front first and international sides do not always roll over before kick off.All Blacks 38 (Kieran Read 2, Anthony Boric, Sam Whitelock tries; Daniel Carter 4 pen 3 con)Ireland 18 (Stephen Ferris, Brian O'Driscoll tries; Jonathan Sexton 2 pen con)Halftime: 19-13

All Blacks hammer Scotland

 

RICHARD KNOWLER IN EDINBURGH - Stuff

Last updated 07:04 14/11/2010

Highlights of the All Blacks' win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

All Blacks v Scotland

1 of 13

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media Zoom

All Blacks perform the haka before the match against Scotland.

  More than a century of misery against the All Blacks continued for Scotland this morning after they were pounded 49-3 at Murrayfield.

Never did the New Zealanders' 105-year unbeaten streak look in doubt, with the tourists racing in seven tries against a Scottish side that was unable to match their precision, pace and, at times, sheer audacity on attack.
For skipper Richie McCaw and Mils Muliaina it was a fine way to mark their 92^nd test appearances, which saw them match Sean Fitzpatrick's milestone, and will certainly be broken within the next two weeks as the All Blacks prepare to complete another grand slam with matches against Ireland and Wales.
The best indicator as to just how much of an easy night this was for the All Blacks coaches' hearts was when they tugged openside flanker McCaw off the field with more than 20 minutes remaining, replacing him with Daniel Braid, to place him on ice as they looked ahead to Dublin and Cardiff.
For the Scots, who looked to still be searching for their combinations and rhythm after not playing together since June, this was just too big of an ask to expect them to create history.
Rarely did they look like scoring as the All Blacks defence proved impregnable and to darken their mood there was the worrying sight of Max Evans being wheeled off the field on a buggy after injuring his neck in a tackle on No 8 Kieran Read.
A pair of tries in the opening 12 minutes immediately had Scotland backpedalling, with Hosea Gear and Dan Carter racing over and seven minutes later Mils Muliaina added to their misery when he collected the third five-pointer.
Of the three, it was difficult not to be most impressed by Gear's effort; a pearler from a scrum inside the Scottish quarter, he hared off his left wing to pluck a juicy Sonny Bill Williams delivery out of mid-air and left the mesmerised defenders staring at each other with confused looks on their faces.
Gear had to work harder for the All Blacks' fourth try, although even he would have been surprised at the way the passive Scottish tacklers happily waved him through after he changed his angle and chopped infield unchallenged.
Four converted tries inside the first half hour and the match was over.
It was little wonder Scotland coach Andy Robinson was spotted out of his seat and leaning against a wall, looking as if he had just learned his superannuation fund had been plundered.
Granted, the All Blacks' dedication to eradicating the errors that had blotted their second half performance against England the previous weekend had paid dividends, but the Scotland defence was sadly lacking in desire.
From the opening whistle the New Zealanders signalled their attacking intent as they several times unleashed the ball towards Isaia Toeava's right wing in a bid to perforate the stretched Scotland defensive line.
One decent break by Toeava preceded a sweeping attack and it was Williams who gave him the vital space down a narrow channel near the touchline as he somehow flipped out a pass to the wing.
Prior to this match Williams expressed an eagerness to get more involved; having worn the No 13 jersey against England last weekend at Twickenham, the former rugby league star looked more comfortable at the familiar second five-eighth operating inside centre Conrad Smith.
The 25-year-old wowed the 56,807-strong crowd with his sheer audacity as he repeatedly untangled his long arms, and with hands the size of buckets, squeezed the ball out to his support runners.
Muliaina was another benefactor of the Williams magic as he crossed over for the penultimate try and Smith could also give the big nod of approval after he was involved in the movement that led to his five-pointer too.
All Blacks 49 (Hosea Gear 2, Mils Muliaina 2, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Andy Ellis tries; Carter 5 conv, Stephen Donald 2 conv)
Scotland 3 (Dan Parks pen).
Halftime: 28-3.

Rugby: Rampant All Blacks thrash Scotland

Sun, 14 Nov 2010

Click photo to enlarge

New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, left, battles his way past Scotland's Dan Parks. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Murrayfield plunged into darkness to commemorate Armistice Day, and when illuminated it was Scotland who surrendered as the All Blacks sauntered to a 49-3 victory, keeping their Grand Slam quest alive. Any ambitions of Scotland's rugby renaissance continuing with a historic success against New Zealand following 105 years of defeat were soon revised to damage limitation as the All Blacks hushed an expectant crowd of 56,807 with a clinical first half display that yielded four tries.
The tone was set as the first strain of a lone piper's "Scotland the Brave" reverberated, only to be silenced by a classical Sonny Bill Williams offload to Hosea Gear in ninth minute.
Williams, in his second test and first alongside centre Conrad Smith, scythed through the Scottish line with ominous ease before the alert Gear collected a one-handed flick to cross between the posts for the first of his double.
Three minutes later Dan Carter completed a 60-metre catch and pass exercise that had the Scots literally grasping at shadows.
Mils Muliaina probed the right hand flank, fed Isaia Toeava who freed Carter to coast to the line unimpeded.
The All Blacks first five-eighth might have had a second inside the opening quarter but unselfishly passed to Muliaina to mark his record-equalling 92nd test in style.
Captain Richie McCaw, who also joined illustrious predecessor Sean Fitzpatrick on 92 caps, was unable to score but was still typically effective at the breakdown -- another area where the All Blacks exerted superiority.
Gear, among the All Blacks' best during the 26-16 triumph at Twickenham last weekend, then compounded Scotland's woes after they botched a close range lineout -- a rare attacking opportunity from a penalty in the 25th minute.
Barely two minutes later, after the All Blacks had turned over possession, quick hands from Williams and Smith put Gear in enough space to flummox three defenders before he cruised over for his second -- to provide the All Blacks with an insurmountable 28-3 advantage at the break.
After Dan Parks capped Scotland's rousing, though brief, beginning with a penalty in the third minute, it was to be a night of minor victories for the hosts.
Although the scoreline from their last three encounters against New Zealand now amounts to a distressing 121-9 margin in the All Blacks' favour, Scotland at least avoided the ignominy of expunging the 49-point thrashing inflicted at Carisbrook a decade ago from the record books.
All Black head coach Graham Henry's predictable decision to empty his bench -- looking ahead to Ireland in Dublin -- with a quarter remaining also assisted Scotland's desperation to avoid a record-breaking rout.
Carter was the first to depart in the 50th minute with the All Blacks up 35-3 to facilitate Stephen Donald's public rehabilitation process after his distressing cameo in the tour-opening Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup loss to the Wallabies.
Donald had one grim moment when kicking a penalty dead -- a rare All Blacks indiscretion to enthuse a home crowd dumbfounded at the abrupt end to Scotland's four-match unbeaten run.
There was also a dominant scrum in the 54th minute which buckled the All Blacks formation, though in keeping with Scotland's inability to profit from the rare opportunities they received, possession was lost at the next engagement.
McCaw earned his rest in the 57th minute so Daniel Braid finally logged his first minutes on tour while Andrew Hore made a safe return from shoulder surgery when he was introduced for solid debutant Hika Elliot with 19 minutes remaining.
Despite the changes, the All Blacks still managed three more tries in the second half -- another Williams offload put Muliaina in the corner for his second and probably sealed the rookie's man of the match award.
He was also prominent with ball in hand before Smith crossed in the 67th minute and then Donald has a positive impact when his break gave reserve halfback Andy Ellis a stroll to the posts with two minutes remaining.
The All Blacks head to Dublin tomorrow; there in no respite for the Scots -- world champions South Africa loom next weekend.
New Zealand 49 (Hosea Gear 2, Mils Muliaina 2, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Andy Ellis tries; Carter 5 conversions, Stephen Donald 2 conversions), Scotland 3 (Dan Parks penalty), HT: 28-3.

Rugby: Untouchable SBW hard to handle

Sun, 14 Nov 2010

Graham Henry and his coaching cohorts now share a dilemma with their counterparts for the remainder of the All Blacks Grand Slam rugby tour - devising a strategy to handle Sonny Bill Williams.
Those three names - and the phrase "offload" - were practically on everyone's lips in the aftermath of New Zealand's 49-3 swamping of the Scots at Murrayfield last night, an All Black master class that suggested Williams could eventually exert a Jonah Lomu-esque influence on the international game.
Just two games into his test career, the 25-year-old already has opposing coaches reaching for the superlatives when pondering his future impact on the code.
After witnessing man-of-the-match Williams orchestrate two of the All Blacks seven converted with audacious offloads that already seem routine, Scotland head coach Andy Robinson sounded in awe of the new midfield maestro.
"He's got everything, hasn't he? He's fantastic for the sport of rugby union, just not for a defensive coach or an opponent trying to mark him," Robinson said.
Williams made his test debut at Twickenham last weekend and soon made a favourable impression for a one-handed release in the build-up to Hosea Gear's maiden test try.
Nine minutes into what Scotland forlornly hoped would prove a continuation of their resurgence after a historic series win in Argentina five months ago, Gear was grateful to Williams again when he powered through the defensive line and flicked a no-look pass the wing was wise to anticipate.
Record-equalling fullback Mils Muliaina also profited from Williams' sleight of hand in the 48th minute. 
While Williams' other sly moves to keep the ball alive did not lead directly to tries, conventional passing assisted Gear's second while his running lines from second five-eighth frequently had the Scots standoffish in defence.
Scotland, and to a lesser extent England, had no answer to Williams's innate ability to pierce an opposing backline and, when halted, release the ball for an alert support player.
The question now for Henry and backs coach Wayne Smith is how to utilise Williams against Ireland and Wales.
Do they prolong his assimilation process in Dublin next weekend? Or do they revert to the Ma'a Nonu-Conrad Smith combination that would have been considered unbreakable until Williams signalled his World Cup ambitions by returning home from France in June.
Nonu and Smith, united for 26 tests since 2008, have been pivotal in nurturing Williams since his selection and in doing so appear to have inadvertently jeopardised their own careers.
Smith sat out the England test to indulge Williams' rare outing at centre; at Murrayfield Nonu was the only All Blacks reserve not needed as Scotland's demoralising 105-year wait to beat New Zealand featured another grim interlude.
Henry was noncommittal about his future plans for the All Blacks highest profile acquisition from rugby league but mirrored Robinson's enthusiasm for Williams' performance.
"He'll obviously be pretty pleased with the way he's playing," Henry dead panned.
"He's got an amazing ability to offload the ball in the tackle, I don't think I've seen any rugby player with that sort of skill in that situation before," he said, before predicting even greater heights for the 1.91-metre ball player.
"He's still getting comfortable playing at this level and with what we're trying to do.
"I still think there's a wee way to go there but I think he'll get more confident and even go to a higher standard in the future."
Captain Richie McCaw was also impressed with Williams' arrival to the All Black environment via Toulon and Canterbury.
"It's exciting to have a guy like that, he's a real threat and it's not always him just crashing the ball up, he can put guys away outside too."
Muliaina admitted Williams was unique in terms of backs he had shared his 92 test caps with - an All Black record he jointly holds with McCaw and Sean Fitzpatrick.
"Just watching it (offloads) on TV when he doing it in league, you wondered if he could transfer that into rugby," Muliaina said.
"He must have practised it a lot because he can certainly pull it off. A few times at training you think he's gone to deck and suddenly the ball pops out of nowhere."

All Blacks switch four for Scotland clash | Rugby | Fox Sports

All Blacks ring the changes for clash with Scotland as Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina eye milestones

• From correspondents in Edinburgh, Scotland
• From AFP
• November 11, 2010 8:27PM

Milestone ... Richie McCaw will celebrate his record-equalling 92nd cap this weekend. Source: David Rogers / Getty Images

New Zealand have made four changes to the side that beat England last weekend for this weekend's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

All Blacks team

Mils Muliaina, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Samuel Whitelock, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu/Hikawera Elliot, Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Andy Ellis, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu.

Jimmy Cowan returns at halfback while Conrad Smith will line up at centre alongside Sonny Bill Williams with Ma'a Nonu moving to the bench.
Isaia Toeva comes onto the right wing in place of Joe Rokocoko.
The only change in the forwards sees Liam Messam get a go at blindside flanker, although All Blacks coach Graham Henry could be forced into a fifth change if hooker Keven Mealamu loses an appeal against his ban for headbutting England's Lewis Moody.
Uncapped Hika Elliot has been named as Mealamu's replacement if he misses out.
"This is another challenging Test for the All Blacks and our selection reflects that," Henry said.
"We have huge respect for the Scots and the way they are playing the game.
"They have had some major victories in recent times, including two away wins in Argentina and a win over Ireland this year plus the win over Australia last year, so it should be another absorbing contest between the two teams."
The match represents a significant milestone in All Blacks history.
Skipper Richie McCaw and full-back Mils Muliaina will both win their 92nd caps, equalling Sean Fitzpatrick's All Blacks record, and are likely to break the former All Blacks hooker's mark later in the tour.
"I couldn't think of two better people than Richie and Mils to beat my record," Fitzpatrick said.
"They are outstanding All Blacks, good leaders of men and for me it's an honour to pass the baton on to those two."
All Blacks coach Henry also paid tribute to McCaw and Muliaina's record-equalling double act.
"It is a fantastic achievement for both men and it's great that they are able to reach the milestone together this weekend in Scotland," he said.
"They are icons of the game, have huge respect within the All Blacks, in New Zealand and around the world, and will have many more Tests together in the All Blacks jersey."

All Blacks squeak past England

RICHARD KNOWLER AT TWICKENHAM - Fairfax Media

Last updated 05:40 07/11/2010

Maybe Mike Ford will keep his clam shut the next time he sees the All Blacks riding over the horizon.

Having beaten England 26-16 in London this morning, the New Zealanders gave Ford a couple of reasons to reconsider why test rugby does have the right to be entertaining.

In the build-up to this match England defensive coach Ford let his mouth start gabbling before his brain had any chance to register what he was on about, as he stated the international stage was all about defensive resolve rather than piling on a mountain of points on the scoreboard.

Ironically, England did their share of attacking as they looked to spread the ball wide from the get-go and then dominated the final quarter; they threw wave after wave of offensive movements at the All Blacks, whose scrambling defence was forced to call on all their experience and trust in each other to deny their opponents a win.

All three tries were scored by New Zealanders, with left wing Hosea Gear and No 8 Kieran Read crossing over for the All Blacks in the first half and Kiwi ex-pat replacement hooker Dylan Hartley barging over for England in the second spell.

A rough diamond, no doubt, Hartley - who has form with the judiciary for such nasty acts as eye-gouging and has spent his time with sports shrinks trying to discover ways to dampen his fiery temper - could not resist unleashing a cheap shot at Richie McCaw in the second half when he aimed at his head with his shoulder.

That incident caused an angered Brad Thorn to knock the rake off his feet with a shoulder shove and then things got testy; handbags were swung and teeth were bared.

Maybe the judiciary will have more to say about Hartley's actions, but the television match official, Guilio de Santis, was not so bothered by him scoring his five-pointer with what appeared suspiciously to be a double-movement.

If All Blacks fans thought their side's conditioning would allow them to run amok in the final quarter they were to be disappointed.

Instead it was the Poms that did all the talk with the ball in hand and when Jerome Kaino was shown a yellow card inside the final 10 minutes they just kept on coming and several times replacement wing Isaia Toeava was forced to pull off some desperate tackles.

Toeava's effort on a flying Shontayne Hape - another Kiwi no less - could have been a potential match-saver.

Leading 26-16, the desperate All Blacks were fiercely defending their line when former Kiwis rugby league international Hape appeared to have found space down the touch to score.

However, Toeava managed to charge into him and the TMO was forced to admit Hape had knocked the ball on over the line.

As they look back on this result, the All Blacks, over a few quiet, reflective beers post-match, may have admitted they got too slack after leading 17-3 at halftime.

Indeed, it appeared as if the win would come easily when they habitually found wide open spaces in the English defensive line and it was a classic offload by debutant Sonny Bill Williams, followed by a lobbed pass from Mils Muliaina that saw Gear score.

Execution is key for All Blacks - McCaw

TOBY ROBSON IN LONDON - Fairfax Media

Last updated 13:30 07/11/2010

Action from the match between the All Blacks and England at Twickenham.

All Blacks v England

1 of 16

PETER MEECHAM/Fairfax Media Zoom

All Black do the haka before the test against England at Twickenham.

Related Links

  Match highlights: All Blacks v England 

Richie McCaw says execution, not attitude will be the key to a better performance against Scotland next week.
The All Blacks made uncharacteristic handling errors throughout their 26-16 win over England at Twickenham today, just as they had during their loss to the Wallabies in Hong Kong.

And though thrilled to beat a good England side, McCaw admitted there was a degree of frustration in the visitor's dressing room.

"I think the frustration of the guys sitting in the changing rooms was that at vital times we gave the ball back to the opposition too easily and probably tried to do too much at times.

"They're the things that are frustrating. Sometimes it's because you have been getting reward for those passes when you can see space, but sometimes it might not be quite on.

"It might be a bit of a fifty-fifty and those are the things that, if we are going to improve, we have to get right."

The All Blacks looked set to rack up a cricket score after starting strongly against England and leading 14-0 after 20 minutes, before errors crept into their game.

"The attitude we want to play with is spot on. When the space is there you want to use it. There are times in the game where that's the right thing to do, and times where perhaps a slightly more conservative option might be better.

"Perhaps you could score a try, but holding the ball for one more phase will guarantee a try... you don't want to stifle the guys... but the risk and reward I guess is what we have to get under control.

"Sometimes you are your own worst enemy."

But McCaw also praised his side's character and said the defensive effort was top drawer.

"It comes down to a couple of opportunities in a game and we won because we took a couple of those in the first half and it got tight because we didn't take a couple in the second half.

 "I guess England would be a bit disappointed. Had they scored that try it could have been a bit different in the end, but that's the nature of the beast, you have to nail your chances."

Assistant coach Steve Hansen believed the side were not far off their game despite the error rate.

"We haven't been together for a while and we're rusty and what I'm talking about is our timing.

"You only have to be half a yard out with your run and something that looks like it could be magnificent is actually pushing crap. That's about where we are with our game at the moment. We are half a stride off scoring five or six tries rather than two or three."

All Blacks miss Dan Carter at the death

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has defended his decision to remove Dan Carter in the 60^th minute of last night's 26-24 extra-time defeat to the Wallabies at Hong Kong Stadium.

When Carter left the field the All Blacks were leading 24-12 but within minutes of his exit the Wallabies had scored a try to wing Drew Mitchell and then mounted attack after attack to finally pop open the Kiwis' defensive line.

After Carter's departure the All Blacks fortunes then got progressively worse and when his replacement, Stephen Donald, botched a clearing kick following an All Blacks turnover it allowed Kurtley Beale to launch another counter-attack that led to James O'Connor scoring the Australians' winning try which he then converted.

Carter's appearance at Hong Stadium was his first appearance since playing the Springboks in Soweto on August 22; after that match he had surgery on his right ankle to remove some bone chips and although he had a 40 minute run in a pick-up game last weekend he was still well short of match fitness.

Yet despite the lengthy lay-off, the first five-eighth still looked capable of playing into the final quarter but was shipped out of the game when Henry opted to bring Donald on.

"We just have to make sure we look after people and he wasn't going to play the full game in this game,'' Henry said afterwards. "He talked to the medical staff at halftime and they discussed 60 minutes.

"He has come back from a reasonably major operation in his first game and we didn't want to risk injuring him badly.''

Although he missed several kicks for goal, Carter's ability to run the backline and fire out pinpoint skip passes to his runners ensured the backline ran relatively smoothly, while his defence was also sound.

For Donald, who was playing his first test match since last year's northern tour it was a night he will not recall with any great fondness.

When asked about the Waikato playmaker's cameo, Henry acknowledged it was a disappointing performance.

"I think it was a test of character for the team and individuals. Some of the individuals won't be happy with the way they played and they will be disappointed they didn't close it down.

"Stephen would be one of those guys. Stephen is a very experienced footballer and he will handle it. We will assist as time goes on.''

Meanwhile, right wing Cory Jane, who left the field in the second half with a rib injury, was last night having scans to determine whether he suffered any significant damage.

He is the second wing to suffer an injury in as many days; Sitiveni Sivivatu was ruled out of the tour after failing to leave New Zealand because of a knee problem and may need an operation.

World record target in All Blacks' sights

World record target in All Blacks' sights

MARC HINTON - Sunday Star Times

Last updated 05:00 24/10/2010

There was a day not so long ago when an All Black tilt at the Grand Slam would get the pulse racing on its own accord. Sadly familiarity has bred a certain amount of contempt when it comes to the once mythological feat.

So, as we look ahead to the traditional end-of-year tour, starting next Saturday night in Hong Kong, it's not the chance to sweep the four Home Unions that captures the chief interest. In other words, it's not so much wham-bam, thank-you Slam; but ho-hum, are we done?

Let's face it there's a certain feeling of fait accompli about the prospect of tackling the four nations of the UK and Ireland on consecutive Saturdays. Under Graham Henry the All Blacks have already achieved it twice, in 2005 and '08, with only minor discomfort. In fact, in the "Time of Ted" they've yet to lose a test on a November tour.

And given the way they've played this season, and the success they'd had already against much sterner foes, no one surely expects Henry to be denied a hat-trick of the feat only achieved once previously in the long history of the All Blacks.

Times have certainly changed.

But don't despair. This tour is about more than the devalued Slam. Greater things beckon than a feat eroded by repetition.

For starters the entrée is delectable, even if it too is a well-tasted one.

Can New Zealanders ever get sick of beating Australians? It's a rhetorical question, so don't bother answering. Ten in a row could become 20 and it won't get old.

But just in case extra motivation was needed for the year's fourth "Bledisloe", in the neutral territory of Hong Kong, it must have been provided with the steadfast banter coming out of the Wallaby camp. There's clearly a feeling the gap's closing and, ever the optimists, the Australians have been quick to cling to that lifeline as they predict an end to their All Black bogey.

Experienced All Black centre Conrad Smith made it clear that the opening test would see All Black minds concentrated. He even hinted at a certain determination to, if we may use the vernacular, keep the foot on the throat.

"Much has been said about the gains they've made on us in terms of the results this year and there's probably a lot of truth in that, so this one carries a bit of edge," said Smith, practically licking his lips. "Playing them for the fourth time this year, it can be tough to motivate, but there's enough riding on just the fact the results have got closer and closer."

Dan Carter, who'll be back running the show in Hong Kong, said playing - and beating - the Wallabies still meant a lot to the All Blacks.

"You want to beat them," said Carter. "Looking back on the Tri-Nations we weren't as happy with the way we finished... We felt the South Africans and especially the Aussies were analyzing the way we playing and really closed the gap. This is a big game for us."

This tour is also special because of the numbers game. These All Blacks have already won 15 tests on the trot, and they are on the cusp of two magical marks. If they can win in Hong Kong and then at Twickenham they will draw up alongside the 17 achieved by the great All Black and Springbok teams (see grafic). One or two more and they can unify the division, as it were, eclipsing the 18 achieved by Lithuania.

Don't underestimate how much that record will mean to the All Blacks, if they can knock the bugger off. They may not be saying a lot about it, but their chance to etch their names in history will motivate the heck out of this group of achievers.

Other factors add to the tour's interest. The New Zealanders say they won't hold anything back, and that they will tweak their game-plan to keep the chasers honest. How they do that will be intriguing. There's also the Sonny Bill Williams element. Intrigue surrounds his introduction to test rugby.

Plus most of the senior All Blacks are rested and recuperated. The mind boggles over what they could do to the stodgy northerners if they click back into gear. As Smith points out they enjoy touring the UK because it's different and the fans are passionate. These guys take nothing for granted either, and set their own standards, which is why they'll surely chalk up their third, not so grand Slam in five years.

THE TOUR (dates/kickoffs NZ time)

October 30 v Australia Hong Kong 9.30pm
November 7 v England London 3.30am
November 14 v Scotland Edinburgh 6.15am
November 21 v Ireland Dublin 6.30am
November 28 v Wales Cardiff 6.15am 

All Blacks rule world rankings

All Blacks rule world rankings
Stuff
Last updated 08:41 15/09/2010


The All Blacks' unbeaten run through the Tri-Nations has seen them extend their healthy lead at the top of the IRB world rankings.
The latest rankings have been released in the wake of New Zealand's dramatic 23-22 win over Australia in Sydney last Saturday night.
That come from behind victory, New Zealand's 15th consecutive test win, means they now sit 9.21 rating points above second-placed Australia in the latest rankings.
Australia's loss cut their hold on second place to 0.34 points above South Africa.
South Africa's five losses in six Tri-Nations matches saw their rating slip by 4.24 points during the tournament.
The All Blacks increased their rating by 3.09 points and Australia gained 1.15 points to climb above the Boks on the rankings ladder.
It all adds up to a commanding cushion for the All Blacks as they prepare for their end of year tour that includes another clash with Australia in Hong Kong and a Grand Slam attempt against England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
IRB World Rankings (last week's position in brackets)
1 (1) New Zealand 94.77
2 (2) Australia 85.56
3 (3) South Africa 85.22
4 (4) France 82.75
5 (5) Ireland 82.03
6 (6) England 81.82
7 (7) Scotland 79.81
8 (8) Argentina 79.70
9 (9) Wales 78.58
10 (10) Fiji 74.39
11 (11) Italy 72.97
12 (12) Samoa 72.74
13 (13) Japan 72.49
14 (14) Canada 69.43
15 (15) USA 67.86
16 (16) Tonga 67.06
17 (17) Georgia 66.38
18 (18) Russia 65.80
19 (19) Romania 65.10
20 (20) Namibia 62.69

IRB bosses take note: top two teams know how game should be played

Spiro Zavos
September 14, 2010
Saturday night's epic Test between the Wallabies and the All Blacks was watched by 70,288 spectators, including several IRB heavyweights, the chairman Bernard Lapasset, vice-chairman Bill Beaumont, chief executive Mike Miller and the boss of the referees, Paddy O'Brien. What they and the vast roaring crowd saw was 21st century rugby at its best.
The Test was everything the World Cup 2007 final between England and South Africa should have been, but was not. That final was a static match where both teams played for field position and penalties. On Saturday night, the ball was in play for long periods, with the All Blacks five times establishing seven phases of play, and the Wallabies once. There were only 33 kicks, and many of them had a scoring intent. There were five scrum resets, 14 lineouts, and 27 turnovers (12 to the Wallabies, 15 to the All Blacks). There was a thrilling unpredictability about the play, which is the glory of rugby.
Australia and New Zealand have led the way (remember the ELVs?) to write a set of laws and a way of interpreting them that allowed for the thrilling spectacle at ANZ Stadium. For years, forces in the IRB resisted these efforts. There is some justice, therefore, that the Wallabies (No.2 in the rankings) and the All Blacks (No.1) lead the world in running rugby.
This season the Wallabies have lost once each to England and the Springboks and three times to the All Blacks. But they have improved significantly. The scrum is much steadier, the lineout is stronger, with several steals against the All Blacks on Saturday night. The defence needs stiffening, with 22 tries leaked in the Tri Nations compared with nine by the All Blacks. And the goal-kicking by Matt Giteau is a moveable feast, with two defeats, to England and the All Blacks, both in Sydney, directly related to misses that should have been converted.
Importantly, the Wallabies have finally established a distinctive and winning pattern to their game. It exploits the width of the field with long, flat passes to the outside backs to create overlaps. This allows the fullback to come into the line out wide, as Kurtley Beale did twice on Saturday, forcing Conrad Smith into two missed tackles. Once the defence is stretched, Giteau and Quade Cooper start to flick inside passes for runners to storm down the unprotected midfield. The All Blacks, playing their midfield driving game, crossed the advantage line 81 per cent of the time compared with the 67 per cent by the Wallabies.

All Blacks pull win 'out of the fire'

By MARC HINTON in Sydney - Stuff
Last updated 06:11 12/09/2010

Graham Henry's first three words at the post-match press conference said it all: "Character, character, character - first, second and third," when the All Blacks coach was asked to sum up his side's latest victory.
It was that all right, the All Blacks forced to dig as deep as they had three weeks earlier in Soweto, maybe more, as they came back from 22-9 down with 20 minutes to play to snatch a 23-22 victory over the Wallabies.

The win saw the All Blacks enter record territory with their 10th straight against the Australians and also saw them complete the first 6-0 Tri-Nations season. But, as in Soweto, it was a close run thing, and needed composure of the highest order.

"I thought the guys got better as the game went on," added Henry. "We were pretty rusty initially. We had a few new guys who hadn't played a lot of test football playing as well and it took them a wee while to settle down.

"But the guys just showed huge character and really hung in there and got better as the game went on and pulled it out of the fire. Beautiful."

Having stormed through their first three games of the Tri-Nations, the All Blacks have had to call on all their intrinsic qualities to topple the Wallabies in Christchurch, the Boks in Soweto and now the Wallabies again at the Olympic venue.

"That's got a lot to do with the composure on the field and the leadership of the senior players, Richie [McCaw] in particular," said the All Blacks coach. "It's hugely pleasing."

Henry felt the key moment of a compelling test came shortly after the third-quarter mark when McCaw elected to take, first, a lineout option and then the scrum one from successive penalties. Eventually the skip himself thundered over off an 8-7 move that worked to precision, even if the Wallabies later complained it had featured an early detachment.

"That was a good decision, and it gave us a bit more momentum," said Henry of a score that saw the All Blacks close to within a half-dozen with still plenty of time left. "We got better as the game went on, we got some go-forward and went through the guts and got in behind them a bit. We had some control for the first time in that last 20."

Henry also had some high praise for stand-in goalkicker Piri Weepu who coolly slotted all five of his shots at goal, which contrasted sharply with Matt Giteau's less than 50 percent record for the Australians.

"He kicked magnificently, and played very well," said Henry. "He's a very special player."

Henry confirmed that hooker Keven Mealamu had suffered a calf muscle tear and would likely be out of rugby for 4-5 weeks. The loss of the in-form hooker after just a dozen minutes was another factor in the All Blacks' shaky first half.

Assistant coach Steve Hansen said the most pleasing aspect of the win for him had been the way the All Blacks had changed their game as they searched for answers with 25 minutes remaining.

"We started to go up the guts a bit and that allowed our forwards to come into the game. We spent a lot of time in the course of the match going from side to side which probably suited the Australian way of defence. Once our forwards came into the game they got excited."

Defensive specialist Wayne Smith also found some fault in the overall performance. "Areas of our game weren't great. As defence coach I felt we were on our heels too much and weren't coming forward. That affected us, as every time they dropped the ball we didn't get benefit because we weren't coming forward."

Hansen felt his forwards had been "scratchy" and gave them 6.5 or 7 out of 10.

But then he made an important point: "We won't remember that in a half-hour or so. We'll just enjoy the win because they're bloody hard to get against Australia and it's important you celebrate your successes."

By the looks of the relieved All Blacks brains trust as they filed back out of the press conference room, it seemed like they fully intended to do that.

Nerveless All Blacks come-from-behind to beat Wallabies

Nerveless All Blacks come-from-behind to beat Wallabies
By MARC HINTON in Sydney - Stuff
Last updated 00:10 12/09/2010


For a team chasing perfection this was far from perfect. But who cared? The All Blacks once again showed that they have nerves of steel and superb mental strength as they kept their remarkable run for 2010 alive.
Only just though, by an almost unbearable one-point margin, 23-22. It took everything they had, and a 17-3 second-half effort that included 14 unanswered points over the final quarter to achieve it. But somehow the New Zealanders found a way to rattle up their ninth straight victory for 2010, and a record 10th on the trot against these Wallabies.
The Australians contributed plenty to a thrilling match, and when they led 22-9 with just 20 minutes to go it looked for all money as though they were about to pull off a remarkable, against-the-odds victory.
But, just as they had done in Soweto, the All Blacks kept their nerve splendidly and never panicked even when they had every right to. Richie McCaw scored a crucial try off a slick scrum move and the superb No 8 Kieran Read put his team in front just seven minutes from the end when he charged over as the New Zealanders finished with a wet sail.
From there McCaw and his men held on over a frantic finale and kept alive their dream of the perfect season. They certainly completed a pretty perfect Tri-Nations, becoming the first side to sweep the board in the six-game series
What a great way it was to celebrate McCaw’s 52nd test as captain (with just six losses), breaking Sean Fitzpatrick's record. The leader was wonderful in the second half and was at the forefront of a remarkable fightback.
It was a poor first 40 minutes from the All Blacks who mixed way too many errors in with their early endeavour. In fact you could make a case that they were a shade lucky to be trailing just 6-14 at the break, Lachie Turner going within inches of adding to the only try of the opening half by Justin Bieber lookalike James O’Connor.
The New Zealanders had showed some early promise, especially whenever they attacked down Israel Dagg's wing, but spent most of the second quarter battening down the hatches on defence. Much of it was self-inflicted stuff too as the Wallabies were gifted a succession of opportunities.
The All Blacks were badly off key, from Aaron Cruden's wonky restarts, to some sloppy passing, to some fairly ragged defence. They were even getting bested at the breakdown. It was supposed to be the Wallabies who were weary, but instead it looked as if McCaw's men were playing their third test in as many weeks.
You expected the adjustment would come in the second half, and it did eventually. Too loose. Too inaccurate for too long. But the charge came just in the nick of time and you have to heap credit at this side's feet for their cool composure.
Dan Carter was missed. Badly. Cruden's kicking game was well short of the mark and for all his courage, he needs to be able to execute in this area. The youngster's restarts were atrocious, his general kicking only marginally better and he hit the depths midway through the second spell when he missed touch off a penalty.
As Henry noted later he would have learned from the experience, but it didn't help the New Zealand cause as they struggled to establish field position for the first 60 minutes.
If this was an experiment for Henry, albeit a forced one, it demonstrated vividly that this young man is not yet up to this level of rugby. Victor Vito was marginally better, but the All Blacks were much better when Jerome Kaino came on. Suddenly the loose trio took command.
The same couldn't be said for Dagg over on the left wing, where the 22-year-old looked every inch a top test performer. Read -- this side's most improved player -- had a highly influential game, too, for the All Blacks to cap a fine campaign.
But most of all this win was satisfying because a class team survived a bad day at the office and still snuck away with a win. Sometimes you just have to take that and smile.
And now the quest will go on. The All Blacks have won 15 tests on the trot. They could become the first team to complete a perfect calendar year in the professional era. The record winning streak of 17 and 18 is now tantalisingly close.
They could do a lot of things if they keep finding ways to win like they did last night.
New Zealand 23 (Kieran Read, Richie McCaw tries; Piri Weepu 3pens, 2cons)
Australia 22 (Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor tries; Matt Giteau 3pens, Kurtley Beale pens).

Australia slumps to 10th successive loss to New Zealand

Australia slumps to 10th successive loss to New Zealand
• Wayne Smith Rugby Union Editor
• From: The Australian
• September 11, 2010



New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw leaves Ben McCalman in his wake on his way to the tryline at ANZ Stadium Picture: Krystle Wright Source: The Sunday Telegraph
THERE was to be no last-minute miracles for the Australia this week as New Zealand yet again staged another remarkable come-from-behind fightback.
In so the All Blacks score their record-breaking 10th straight Bledisloe Cup victory over Australia at ANZ Stadium.
Both sides scored two tries apiece in a gripping and at times pulsating contest but it was the part-time goalkicker Piri Weepu, with five goals from as many attempts, who edged the All Blacks home 23-22 while Australia's prolific kicker Matt Giteau could manage only three goals from seven attempts.
That in the end made all the difference and a heart-breaker it was for the Wallabies who played well enough for long periods of this match to have finally broken their hoodoo against Richie McCaw's world number one ranked side.
Fittingly, in the Test in which he surpassed Sean Fitzpatrick as New Zealand's most capped skipper, McCaw was to score the try that signalled the start of his country's comeback.
Certainly the gap between these two great rivals is shrinking with every encounter and the Wallabies can look towards the October 30 showdown in Hong Kong with real hope of toppling the All Blacks but until they learn to defend sizeable leads, they will remain all too vulnerable against quality opposition.
Two weeks ago, they blew 14-0 and 21-7 leads against the Springboks. Last week they let slip a 31-6 advantage and had to rely on a long-range Kurtley Beale penalty to escape with w win in Bloemfontein, while tonight they were overhauled from 22-9 in front.
"We came here to win and that didn't happen so the boys are very disappointed," growled Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom.
"A couple of little errors put the pressure back on us and at the end of the day they finished the stronger."
Coach Robbie Deans agreed. "I feel we've made progress but against the benchmark we've come up short again," he said.
The Wallabies completely dominated field position throughout the first half but some uncharacteristically poor goalkicking by Giteau, who was astray with three relatively easy shots, restricted Australia to only a 14-6 lead at half-time.

As they did in the two Tests against South Africa on the highveld, the Wallabies began with a flourish and looked to have scored a try after only five minutes when recalled winger Lachlan Turner planted the ball over the All Blacks line in the left-hand corner.
But the television match official, Matt Goddard, correctly ruled that NZ defender Cory Jane had just managed to drag Turner's foot into touch before he scored.
Still, there were some payments for the Wallabies for their early adventure as referee Lawrence returned to award them one of three penalties he had called against the All Blacks in the build-up to Turner's sizzling sideline run.
Giteau landed the easy goal to cancel out a second minute Piri Weepu penalty goal but the All Blacks struck back almost immediately, with only an heroic one-on-one tackle by Beale on rampaging centre Ma'a Nonu denying them a try.
No sooner had that raid down the left-hand touchline been snuffed out than the All Blacks lit the fire under a new one. Winger Israel Dagg, hemmed in by the cover defence, cleverly banana-kicked infield, straight to Mils Muliaina who looked certain to score until cut down from behind by Turner.
In the mad scramble that followed James O'Connor conceded a penalty in front of his own posts but the Wallabies dodged a bullet to limit the damage to only another Weepu goal.
When the first try did arrive in the 15th minute, it could hardly have come from a least-likely source, a rampaging run off the back of a scrum-gone-wrong by number eight Ben McCalman.
All Black flanker Victor Vito made a dreadful read in defence to allow McCalman to burst into the clear before sending O'Connor on an untroubled 30m run to the line.
That signalled the start of a golden period of domination by the Wallabies, with Quade Cooper and Giteau kicking deftly for field position, but with Giteau having yet another horror night on what is becoming his nemesis ground _ he did after all, miss "that" kick in front to lose the England Test in June at ANZ Stadium _ the All Blacks were able to stay well within range.
The worry was that the All Blacks, who have outscored Australia in the second half in the last nine Tests, would launch the second half with a blitz but in fact it was the Wallabies who scored first through Adam Ashley-Cooper after a disjointed build-up was made good by a brilliant Will Genia pass to his powerhouse outside centre.
The New Zealanders scrambled across in coverf but from 15m, Ashley-Cooper was never going to be denied. Yet again, however, Giteau missed the conversion, every wasted point ultimately to prove so crucial.
When the All Blacks yet again offended deep inside their own half, Rocky Elsom pleaded with Lawrence to pull out the yellow card but he showed not the slightest sign of taking such extreme measures.
Still, when Beale stepped up as Giteau's goalkicking replacement and calmly slotted the penalty goal, the Wallabies looked in be in charge at 22-9.
But that was to be the highwater mark of the Australian scoring and, as has happened so regularly in the past, it was the All Blacks who finished by far the stronger _ although to be fair, they did have the advantage of three weeks rest while the Australians have played three Tests on the trot, and made the trip home from South Africa across eight time zones.
For 10 minutes the Wallabies defended heroically on their own line but ultimately something had to crack and an O'Connor dedfensive misread from a 5m scrum provided all the opening McCaw needed to stroll over for the 19th try of his career in the 66th minute.At 22-16 down, the All Blacks knew thety were right back in the contest and there was almost a sense of inevitability about the Kieran Read try that came on the back of another five minutes of pouding away at the Australian line.
Weepu's conversion nudged the All Blacks in front 23-22 and although the Wallabies had eight minutes at their disposal to work another Bloemfontein-like miracle, this time the fell short.
NEW ZEALAND 23 (Richard McCaw, Kieran Read tries Piri Weepu 2 cons 3 pens) AUSTRALIA 22 (Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor tries Matt Giteau 3, Kurtley Beale pens) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA). Crowd: 70,288.

All Blacks beat Wallabies to retain Bledisloe Cup

All Blacks beat Wallabies to retain Bledisloe Cup
from Latest News-All Black resigns by Haka 2011
All Blacks beat Wallabies to retain Bledisloe Cup
By MARC HINTON in Christchurch - Stuff
Last updated 21:34 07/08/2010


Rejoice New Zealand. You should, for these All Blacks of yours are getting closer and closer to a rugby peak that is going to have the rest of the world needing to enter nosebleed territory to catch them.
This was a real test match. A competitive one. But in Christchurch tonight the All Blacks found a new way to do an old thing – that was to secure a ninth straight victory over the Wallabies and retain the prized Bledisloe Cup for the seventh consecutive year.
Their 20-10 victory, two tries to one, was not quite enough to put the Tri-Nations in the bag – but it is as good as theirs with the New Zealanders now on 19 out of a possible 20 points and only a cataclysmic series of events could allow the Wallabies to catch them.
It won't happen. And so a 10th Tri-Nations title will also be secured as these All Blacks lay down their marker to the rest of the rugby world.
Having won their first three Tri-Nations matches on the back of their exhilarating attacking game, it was refreshing in a way tonight to see them ride home on the back of their magnificent defensive steed. It made a change, and it's reassuring to know this side can win like artisans as well as artistes.
Where razzle-dazzle has won them their tests through this year's programme, tonight it was grit and grunt and sheer determination.
The Wallabies had more than enough ball in the second half to finally shake that black monkey off their back. But they weren't good enough. Or the All Balcks were too good on defence. Late in the second half the All Blacks had made nearly twice as many tackles as their rivals. But they kept making them, right to the end, and their vice-like grip on the blokes from across the ditch continues.
In some ways, as much as the Wallabies improved in seven days, this will be equally galling. Last week they were never in it. This one they had every chance.
In front of a capacity crowd of 39,000 at AMI Stadium, a fast-paced and free-flowing opening quarter was notable for a continuation of the All Blacks' ball-in-hand policy - not only gloriously entertaining but stunningly effective under the new laws now in play.
With the New Zealanders refusing, for the most part, to kick away possession, they conjured two magical tries inside the first 15 minutes, to rejuvenated fullback Mils Muliaina and classy centre Conrad Smith.
They were stunning scores, and summed up perfectly the strikepower of these All Blacks as they play with those mighty twin traits of pace and precision. They know as they work through the phases that they can wear defensive lines down, eventually finding holes to probe, if they're patient and accurate enough.
Muliaina's sixth-minute touchdown, his 29th test try, continued a rich vein of form since his belated return to the arena this year after thumb and calf injuries. And Smith's measured strike eight minutes later demonstrated palpably what a wonderfully efficient footballer this fellow is. Sonny Bill Williams may be looming menacingly in the background, but right now the All Blacks are splendidly served by their midfield men.
Smith actually featured in Muliaina's try when his initial carry got the go-forward and then Keven Mealamu – another in splendid form – and Joe Rokocoko played their parts perfectly to put the fullback over with not much room for error down the blindside.
It was similar stuff when Smith was eventually put over wide on the left. This time it was Dan Carter who created the initial breach, and when he was able to pop the ball off the deck, Piri Weepu's sharp clearance enabled Nonu to put his old mate over against an outmatched Wallabies defence.
But there was a difference this week. The Wallabies showed a bit more resilience and crucially kept the All Blacks within reach. When Carter made a rare error on the carry soon after Muliaina's opening score, the Australians pounced, David Pocock and Nathan Sharpe good enough to put Kurtley Beale away on a 65m run to the line.
Yes, this was better stuff from the Aussies. Their application in the key area of ball retention was streets ahead of Melbourne and when they did find themselves under the cosh late in the first half, they were able to prevent any further damage being inflicted when it looked imminent. At 10-17, they were well in it at the break.
But they couldn't find a way through in the second half, so once again they came up short against the All Blacks they're so desperate to defeat. Carter's penalty was the only score in the spell, and the Wallabies will be gutted by that.
But to the vistors the spoils. And the kudos. The All Black forwards were great on defence, the loose trio tackling themselves to a standstill, indefatigable Brad Thorn bashing away as he does and Mealamu continuing his magnificent form. The backs struck twice in some style early on, but thereafter largely struggled to find a way through. They were not helped, though, by a serious lack of possession for most of the second spell.
Who cares? They won a great arm-wrestle, and that, folks, is well worth celebrating.
NEW ZEALAND 20 (Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith tries; Dan Carter two penalties, two conversions).
AUSTRALIA 10 (Kurtley Beale try; Matt Giteau penalty, conversion).
Halftime 17-10.

Statistics don't lie - ABs first, daylight second

By GRANT FOX - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 05:00 05/09/2010

OPINION: They say you can twist statistics to paint whatever picture you want.
When it comes to the Tri Nations, I'm not so sure Pieter de Villiers and Robbie Deans will agree.
Since the All Blacks secured this year's Tri Nations title a fortnight ago with that memorable victory in Soweto, I've been quietly analysing some stats around the annual triangular tournament.
What I've found should impress even the hardest marker among All Blacks' fans.
The graphic within the Ruck and Maul column on this page makes the point pretty starkly.
In a nutshell – when it comes to Tri Nations' stats – it is the All Blacks and then daylight. And by some way too.
We have now won the Tri Nations championship 10 of the 15 times it has now been played. Or, to put it another way, we win it, on average, two out of every three seasons.
Of the 67 Tri Nations' matches the All Blacks have played, they've won 47. That's a 70% winning record. With all due respect to our Springbok (40%) and Wallaby (38%) opposition, their records don't look too flash alongside the men in black.
Maybe some knowledgeable reader can correct me, but I don't know of any other annual high-level international triangular tournament where one country has been so dominant.
Maybe the Australian cricketers could lay claim to a similar winning record in the now defunct three-team, limited overs series they would host each summer. But those matches were all played in Australia, not on a home-and-away basis.
What's even more remarkable about New Zealand's Tri Nations record is that, for most of those 15 years, Australia and South Africa have been among the top three teams in world rugby.
That makes the All Blacks' feats even more meritorious.
The away record is even more mind-boggling. We like to think it's almost impossible to win a Tri Nations match away from home. Certainly the Wallabies and Boks have traditionally had plenty of trouble in that area. Both have away-winning records of less than 20%. The All Blacks sit at 57%, having won 19 out of 33 away matches.
What's my point?
Simply that we need to celebrate that level of achievement. We often get caught up in the moment within New Zealand rugby. That's actually one of our strengths and contributes to what making the All Blacks what they are. But it doesn't hurt to occasionally pause and reflect. And then smile about a job well done.
On that point, and given the current All Blacks coaching group have been there for seven of those 15 Tri Nations' years, we should be tipping our hats to them too.

The three wise men have had plenty of flak (and praise) in recent times but with a winning record of about 85%, there's a strong argument we're in safe hands.
The doomsayers will tell us it all means nothing if we fall over next year in the world cup. And maybe they've got a point.
But who would you rather be right now – us or the Aussies?
The Wallabies are going through enormous pain and, yes, it may all be forgotten if they win the world cup. But what if they don't? That makes it a pretty lean time for a long time if you're a Wallaby fan. It will be painful if we don't take the Webb Ellis trophy next year. But I have to say it's been a pretty good time to be an All Blacks fan in the lead-up!
And, who knows, if we knock over the Wallabies in Sydney next weekend, we'll have within our sights the world record – 18 – for the most number of successive test victories. The All Blacks will never admit it publicly, but I believe the chance to set that record will be on their minds in Sydney and should ensure another focused and strong performance. I know if I was still playing, it would motivate me.
I suspect we will see Piri Weepu start at halfback and assume the goal-kicking duties. That would help first five-eighths Aaron Cruden, who will also be assisted by knowing he has Weepu inside him and two other Hurricanes – Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith – outside him.
We need to find out more about Cruden at test level.
Dan Carter's injury provides the perfect opportunity.

All Blacks, on the brink of greatness

All Blacks, on the brink of greatness
By TOBY ROBSON in Christchurch - The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 09/08/2010

Photosport
CUP OF JOY: The All Blacks have the Bledisloe Cup for company yet again as they celebrate their 13th successive test win amid increasing evidence that the team is building something special.
Exhausted but not quite fulfilled, and with Johannesburg looming, the All Blacks' face an acid test, having switched to southpaw to slug Australia into submission.
The outward satisfaction of All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his players after Saturday's 20-10 win at AMI Stadium was only in part because the All Blacks had stretched their Bledisloe Cup domination to seven years.
It was also because they had proven their ability to change tactics, soak up pressure and still win with wriggle room against a desperate opponent.
They are the ingredients that were missing in Cardiff three years ago, but which have risen from the ashes under skipper Richie McCaw.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans wondered out loud yesterday if his side had met "one of the great" All Blacks sides.
There is growing evidence to support such a view and if McCaw's side can seal the Tri-Nations in front of 94,000 South Africans at Soccer City in a fortnight, it will be indisputable.
New Zealand rugby fans started the year looking for evidence of progress after being humbled by the Springboks last season.
They got a rugby revolution. And now they are getting conclusive proof that Henry and McCaw are building something special.
"There have been some very good All Blacks teams and I wouldn't want to belittle sides that I've been with in the past," Henry said. "But this side's very tight as people and the leaders are maturing. Richie had his 50th game as captain last night – that's a huge number of games and he's playing out of his skin."
Add Conrad Smith, Dan Carter, Brad Thorn, Keven Mealamu and Mils Muliaina and the leadership group has 408 test caps between them.
"They have matured together and become very close as people," Henry said. "When you get close as people you fight for each other and that's what they did last night."
Wayne Smith has taken the defensive reins this season and a wall of co-ordinated and committed tacklers was at the heart of the 13th straight test win.
But Carter and McCaw continued to be the central cogs. Outside the increasingly confident play of Piri Weepu, Carter was the conductor at first-five in contrast to the struggling Matt Giteau. Carter scaled back his side's attacking tempo to avoid Deans' well-laid defensive trap for the All Blacks' running game in the second spell.
"They defended a lot flatter because of the way we played last week. They only had one guy parked out in the back field, so that gave us the opportunity to kick more for territory," Carter said.
"We'll get a lot of self-belief out of this game. It's good to know we can win these tight encounters."
McCaw has been everywhere this season, relishing the freedom of not having to sacrifice his limbs in search of a turnover at every ruck.
He has led his side to new heights and his deputies have followed. Muliaina is in the midst of possibly his best season in black and wing Joe Rokocoko had his best test of the year in Christchurch.
They are among the six players in the squad who were in the side that lifted the Bledisloe from Australia in 2003.

Their challenge now is whether there is anything left in the tank.
Henry admitted seven tests in nine weeks had taken its toll. The players have little time to recover, meeting in Sydney on Friday and flying to the republic a day later in the buildup to the Springboks and a chance to test Deans' hunch.